Google receiving a referral fee from a lender is a RESPA violation plain and simple. As a real estate broker, I can’t receive a referral fee, so why should they? The difference is that I have a license to protect, Google does not. They will just pay whatever fines they receive until they can buy enough congressmen in order to change the law. That will take years. In the meantime, Google will laugh all the way to the wall street bank.

Google is also beginning to make themselves irrelevant in search for real estate and mortgage. If you search my local real estate market (Palm Beach Gardens Real Estate), 8 of the top 10 organic results are the likes of Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia etc. Isn’t the purpose of Google to find local and best results for consumers? Instead, their results display other searchable sites…They are the big gorilla in the room, but I think Google is now setting itself up for competition who will produce the results it used to that made them so great.

Welcome back! My only thought on the mortgage insurance being in the black is that if we do let it continue to grow and it becomes an appreciable amount, the politicians will want to rape it for only who knows what, maybe refugee funding. The government should never be in the profit business i.e. FNMA/Freddie. Lower, stimulate and grow.

in an answer to your first question that is absolutely steering. It is no different than when a real estate agent demands a buyer use their mortgage company or bank or they won’t present the offer to the seller. Google is directing them to 1 lender not multiple choice like what mortgage brokers do. We shop the best rates at all the lenders we are approved with and the best fit for the clients needs.

If a mortgage company pays for an ad in the LA Times that promotes rate and fees, the LA Times wouldn't be steering a customer to that mortgage company. Bankrate publishes a list of mortgage company's retail rates for a click fee, is Bankrate steering? The consumer recognizes each advertisement as an example of a company's offering and not a favored mortgage company. If Google was to disclose that the companies pay to advertize on thier site and the consumer should still look for competing deals (even though they probably won't) it should meet RESPA.

In my mind, Google offering another search engine may be helpful generally, but not competition for me, a small mortgage broker using many different types/kinds of Lenders. Most of the Borrowers with whom I work have difficult loans and/or more challenging life situations, who need "hands-on" assistance from a Mortgage Broker. These Borrowers need a mortgage broker who can shop their loan for them and find the best rates/terms based on their particular set of circumstances. They need me to help them with their LOE (Letter of Explanation), etc. Just because a Borrower is steered to a basic Lender or Bank, does not mean that basic Lender or Bank will and/or can help them. In fact, I think my Borrowers appreciate learning about a smaller lender who likes their particular situation offering them a loan, whereas a bigger, more conservative bank does not want to be "bothered" with figuring it out. So, let Borrowers "Google" away to their hearts content — many will not find what they really need with a general search…

Guys, check your video feed. The screen rotation was continuing throughout the video…unless it was supposed to be that way in which case I vote for not doing that again. Too distracting! As for Google, what am I not surprised? It seems like the some of the big companies can get away with breaking the rules and some can’t. You must have to be on somebodies ‘a’ list. The co-marketing arrangements offered by Zillow between real estate agents and lenders are a clear RESPA violation, but they continue. That’s probably because it’s the poor agent and LO that they will go after, not Zillow for offering an arrangement that is a violation because they only get a fee, not the referral!

The sad truth is 99 out of 100 buyers don't even know what mortgage insurance is or that they are paying it before they decide to buy…I seriously doubt that is what made a difference in the rise in purchasing…

Buyers are focused on payment so as prices recovered and the MI went down they're finding the payments meet their expectation this thus making the final decision more probable. At some point, this too will level off.

If google is gathering info and generating a quote there are acting as a lender/broker and either need to be licenses or get fined. It's one thing to show search results that drive traffic to a lenders website it's another thing to gather info and generate a quote.

ZILLOW AND GOOGLE ARE SURELY VIOLATING RESPA. THERE IS A PENDING POTENTIAL LAWSUIT FROM A LAWFIRM IN CALIFORNIA. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN DETAILS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 864-486-8000 OR GARY@MGMFINANCIAL.NET

The RESource Weekly

Ryan Hills and his team over at the RESource are great friends of ours. Tune-in their latest weekly episode right here on the home page of the National Real Estate Post. Ryan delivers fantastic content beneficial for both mortgage and real estate professionals.

Lab Coat Agents

"Exploring the Science of Real Estate" is the essence of Lab Coat Agents. LCA and NREP Daily have a partnership in place that's focused on bringing mortgage originators and real estate agents together. Displayed above is their most recent content with respect to our new COVID-19 environment and it's updated in real time so check every day for new information.

Bearded Men of Real Estate

Two of our favorite guys over here at the NREP Daily. Ray and Dan are true leaders within the real estate industry and their weekly shows prove it. They bring great content and amazing guests to you in a fun and interactive way. Be sure to visit them by clicking the button below so you get notified when they go "live" on Facebook. Trust us, these guys are great!

Mortgage News Network

Andrew Berman is a wonderful friend of the NREP Daily. His MNN shows are always insightful with great guests. Be sure to tune-in to MNN right her on the National Real Estate Post to see what Andrew has in store for you. Great content for mortgage and real estate pros alike!

Realtor Magazine

Realtor Magazine has interesting content that is useful to both real estate and mortgage professionals. Here you’ll see their most recent video content updated in real time as released by Realtor Magazine.

Mortgage Bankers Association

The MBA always had relevant news and insights that greatly benefit any mortgage or real estate professional. Tune-in here regularly at the National Real Estate Post to see what's going on up on "the hill" so you can make better decisions and have better dialogue with your customers.

The RESource Weekly

Ryan Hills and his team over at the RESource are great friends of ours. Tune-in their latest weekly episode right here on the home page of the National Real Estate Post. Ryan delivers fantastic content beneficial for both mortgage and real estate professionals.

Lab Coat Agents

"Exploring the Science of Real Estate" is the essence of Lab Coat Agents. LCA and NREP Daily have a partnership in place that's focused on bringing mortgage originators and real estate agents together. Displayed above is their most recent content with respect to our new COVID-19 environment and it's updated in real time so check every day for new information.

Bearded Men of Real Estate

Two of our favorite guys over here at the NREP Daily. Ray and Dan are true leaders within the real estate industry and their weekly shows prove it. They bring great content and amazing guests to you in a fun and interactive way. Be sure to visit them by clicking the button below so you get notified when they go "live" on Facebook. Trust us, these guys are great!

Mortgage News Network

Andrew Berman is a wonderful friend of the NREP Daily. His MNN shows are always insightful with great guests. Be sure to tune-in to MNN right her on the National Real Estate Post to see what Andrew has in store for you. Great content for mortgage and real estate pros alike!

Realtor Magazine

Realtor Magazine has interesting content that is useful to both real estate and mortgage professionals. Here you’ll see their most recent video content updated in real time as released by Realtor Magazine.

Mortgage Bankers Association

The MBA always had relevant news and insights that greatly benefit any mortgage or real estate professional. Tune-in here regularly at the National Real Estate Post to see what's going on up on "the hill" so you can make better decisions and have better dialogue with your customers.